The first record I played on it was the Flash Gordon original soundtrack by Queen.

My young kids gathered around and watched in fascination as I put the needle in the groove for the first time.

We actually sat down as a family and listened to the entire album.

My older boy read comics. My younger son drew Darth Vader.

Not one video game in sight.

It was a scene right out of the 70s and I loved it.

Speaking of the 70s, one of my favourite 70s rockers, the late David Bowie, currently holds the No. 1 position on the vinyl charts in the US and UK with his final album Blackstar -which is EXACTLY the sort of album you want to have, hear and hold on a real record.

The man may have entered the spirit world, but owning the vinyl makes you feel like you have a tiny physical piece of him.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the convenience of digital music and I have literally thousands of songs on my iPhone.

Thing is, they feel disposable.

I love listening to my iPhone when I'm riding on a train, walking around in the city or trying to avoid talking to people, but it's no fun listening to your iPhone at home.

When I'm at home, I want to have a special place to enjoy music.

I want to listen to a whole album.

I want the visual pleasure of the album cover.

I want the tactile pleasure of taking the record out of its sleeve and putting it on the turntable.